Five U.K. marines charged with murder in Afghan death

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Five U.K. marines charged with murder in Afghan death, 14 October 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5089072a28.html [accessed 17 October 2017]

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October 14, 2012

Britain's military says five Royal Marines have been charged with murder over a death in southern Afghanistan.

The five are among seven marines arrested last week.

Four have already been released without charge.

Officials have said the incident involved an insurgent in Helmand Province in 2011, where the majority of Britain's 9,500 troops in Afghanistan are deployed.

The Defense Ministry had earlier said that incident followed an engagement with the insurgents and no civilians were involved.

The ministry says the cases have been referred to the Services Prosecuting Authority, which oversees military trials.

It says the suspects are in custody.

They are the first British troops to be charged with murder in Afghanistan since deployments began in 2001.